With New Eyes
by Mnemosyne3
A/N: I've decided to change the direction of this story from fluff to angst/romance. Hope nobody hates me for doing this. I've got a plan, I promise. Oh, and I'll be counting the time based upon Harry's timeline, even though he's not the main focus of my story. Flashbacks will be italicized. Sorry if the different format has annoyed you, but I'm having a bit of trouble, so just deal okay? Smooches...love you all!
Chapter 2 – Changed CircumstancesHarry's 5th year at Hogwarts
"How are they doing Minerva?"
"Not well. It's a blessing that Ms. Weasley has become unconscious."
McGonnagal and Dumbledore turned their attention to a 15-year-old Draco. Rhythmic pounding could be heard as he automatically slammed his head against the wall. He stared unseeing as he relived the painful nightmare.
"We've tried to get him to stop, Albus. He screams when anyone approaches."
"Perhaps if he was near someone that would comfort him most…" Dumbledore used his wand to transfer Draco next to Ginny's sleeping form. Draco predictably quieted even as he curled protectively around Ginny. Both fell asleep with tears running down their faces.
"It breaks my heart," Minerva whispered. "They were so young." She looked across the hospital wing, her gaze touching upon the prone forms of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "When they regain consciousness, how are they ever going to deal with the pain?"
"We can alter everyone's memory until they are ready to face it," Dumbledore gently replied. "Come Minerva, this task will require a meeting of the Order."
Dumbledore paused by Harry's bed and whispered, "Ah Harry, you saved us all. But at such a cost."
ooo
Harry's 6th year at Hogwarts
A beam of light shone eerily upon the girl who rocked back and forth on the floor as she sewed Harry Potter's cloak.
"I love Harry…I love Harry…"
Her singsong proclamation accompanied her motions as she used the needle to ply the cloth. A private smile highlighted her face as she hugged her secret crush to herself. Ginny gave a giddy laugh that transformed into a quick frown of displeasure when she noticed she pricked herself. "Oh fudge!" she muttered. Looking at her finger, she became mesmerized by the upwelling redness. She squeezed it firmly so more would come out.
Red fascinated her. Red for love, red for war. Red for passion, red for death. And lastly, gazing at her finger, red for blood. It was an interesting color that meant many things. The longer she stared at it, the longer she became mesmerized. Ginny's pupils dilated and she felt herself drifting away…
"Draco!" she screamed in agony. "It hurts!"
Overwhelming fear had taken her and she glanced frantically from side to side. She saw her brother watching her with horror.
"Ron! Help! Ron!"
"Ginny?"
She was jerked back. "Ron," Ginny started, her heart pounding. "Don't scare me like that." She glared at her brother and looked down, "Oh fudge! Now you've gone and made me ruin Harry's clothes."
"Sorry, Gin. Are you done now? The blokes need their cloaks for the game."
Ginny got up and gave her brother a sweet smile as she went to wash her hands. "I'm done with all of them." She gave a sigh, as she daydreamed once more about her beloved.
"Well, where are they?" Ron demanded.
Ginny grimaced and said, "Honestly Ron! Use your eyes! They're right there." She gestured at an obscure corner of the Gryffindor girl's room.
She giggled as her brother gave her an awkward hug of appreciation. "Thanks Gin. You know, you're my favorite sister," Ron called out as he left hurriedly.
"I'm you're only sister!" she shouted, exasperated.
Ginny looked down at her hand and saw the bleeding finger. "Oh bother! I knew I'd pin myself!" She pointed her wand at the offending appendage and watched the minor injury disappear.
ooo
Draco Malfoy was busy getting rid of his latest conquest. He rolled his eyes and listened with boredom as she sobbed her heart out.
"You…you promised! I thought you said…"
"I never said anything Melinda. You knew what you were getting into. Hell, I was never interested in you in the first place. You offered, I took."
"You bastard!" Melinda took a step forward intent on wiping away the bored expression on his face. She was stopped by the hard look that entered Draco's eyes.
"If you think that I won't hit back, then you're mistaken."
Crumpling from the coldness in his gaze, Melinda's shoulders drooped as she sobbed and hiccupped her way out of the Slytherin common room.
"That's the third one this month, Malfoy."
A rare smile of pleasure crossed Draco's face. "Blaise." He turned to look at the blond girl hiding in the dark corner of the room. She strode forward closer to the fireplace. The light reflected the delicate ethereal beauty that captivated the boys of Hogwarts. Blaise flipped her hair back and gave Draco a toothy grin. "Did you see how hard she cried? She was worse than the last one."
She casually sat on Draco's lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Draco, Draco, Draco. I think it's time you settle down. Find the right woman."
Giving her a look of admonishment, Draco unwrapped himself from Blaise's body. "I suppose you think you can find me the right one."
Unrepentant, she wrapped herself around him once more. Her blue eyes glinted as she tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hufflepuff's are out of the question – much too innocent, shrill, and fluffy." Blaise ignored Draco's laugh and continued, "Ravenclaws – they have merit, smart yet anal. Did you know that Ravenclaw's have the highest rating of madness recorded?" She looked speculatively at him, "What about Slytherins?"
"It would complicate issues in the house."
At his practical answer, Blaise played with the hair at the base of his neck and started laughing maniacally. Draco patiently waited for her to finish. "Do you realize," she finally gasped out, "That the only possible matches left for you are the Gryffindors?"
"Those muggle loving mudbloods?" he sneered.
"Ah, but they're not all of mixed blood are they?" Looking coyly at him from beneath her lashes, Blaise waited for him to come to the perfect conclusion.
Draco looked amused. "If you mean the Weasley's, there's not a girl within the lot. You may swing that way darling, but I certainly do not."
Blaise pinched him all the while looking incredulous. "Do not tell me that of all your years in Hogwarts, you have not noticed the daughter?"
A troubled look and a spasm of pain traveled across Draco's face so quickly that Blaise was not quite sure it happened.
"Draco!" A smiling pixie stood before him wearing a gap-toothed grin. He gave an exasperated sigh but couldn't couldn't help the fond smile that lighted his face. "Ginny, stop following me. You're not supposed to be here."
She ignored him and lifted her chubby arms to be lifted. Five-year-old Ginny kissed Draco's cheek and cooed.
Blaise waited expectantly for Draco to answer, but he seemed mesmerized by the fire. She pounded him on the back, "Malfoy, you arse! Pay attention!"
Draco blinked. "If you mean that mousy little brat who's been Potter's adoring fan all these years, you've got to be joking."
"She's not a little girl anymore Malfoy. I've heard the talk in the common room."
Draco was unconvinced and his expression clearly said so. "It will be a good way of getting back at Potter and Weasley," she sang out happily. Blaise watch his expression change from the usual hard cast to one of interest. "Still not enough," he said firmly. "If I'm to touch filth like a Weasley, I need more."
She gave him a sideways look. "What if I told you that she's the one?" Blaise gave a smile of satisfaction when she saw the imperceptible jerk of his head signaling his interest.
"Are you sure?"
"There are no guarantees Malfoy. I'm just saying that from what I've seen, she may have the power you need."
"What's in it for you Blaise?"
"I want Harry Potter."
To be continued…
Okay people, do not kill me for swinging the story a different way. Also, I've altered the prologue a bit. Don't forget to REVIEW!